Fuel pump estimate has me confused?

LWMOORE

MEMBER
2016 BMW X5
6 CYL
TURBO
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

My son's vehicle listed above xdrive35i ran out of gas. The repair shop gave an estimate to fix. I am going to do the job, but the estimate has me confused. Fuel pump driver module, that I understand/Fuel Pump module assembly, I understand this to be the pump and assembly that goes into the tank, understood/ But the estimate also states Fuel Transfer Unit, I cannot even find this listed in parts for this car. What am I missing?
thanks

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,602 POSTS

So, this car has a transfer pump which is in the tank, a high-pressure fuel pump that is mechanical which is mounted to the engine and a fuel pump driver module which controls the operation of the transfer pump. Here is what each look like and how to replace them. If you are doing the high-pressure pump, use a flashlight to make sure the cam lobe for the pump is not worn down. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.

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Friday, October 4th, 2024 AT 2:13 PM

LWMOORE

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Thanks for the info. In your experience what is the chance that both of these pumps would go bad due to running out of fuel? I really do not trust the shop he had the BMW taken too. Repair estimate way out of line. Also, if all three of these parts are replaced, is there any reprogramming needed, or just clearing any fault codes? Thanks.

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Friday, October 4th, 2024 AT 2:37 PM

KEN L

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No programming is needed. Chances are the fuel pump in the tank has gone bad, which is usually what happens when you run the car out of fuel.

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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 9:33 AM

LWMOORE

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3 POSTS

Howdy Ken,

Getting ready to head over nest week to work on this BMW. In some additional reading I have some concern if the fuel transfer pump on the other side of the tank may also need replaced. I do not like shotgun repairs, but it appears that if it needs to be replaced now is the time to do it. Is there a way to check it and the fuel pump out without a scanner?
Thanks again.

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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 AT 7:34 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,602 POSTS

Yes, a weak transfer pump can starve the high pressure pump and cause it to go out. I think they meant to say the fuel pump control module which is user the rear seat. You would need a bidirectional scanner to turn the fuel pump on to get a pressure reading, here is how the job is done and I have included the location for the fuel pump module as well. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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